Breakwater opens to public

The new Fishermen’s Harbour breakwater is opening to the public on Saturday.

Workers were putting the finishing touches on the new apparatus, which is located at Harbour Quay, this week in preparation for the opening.

The port authority took the lead on the project, but the city was involved in negotiations for a grant from Island Coastal Economic Trust to help underwrite it.

The genesis of the breakwater started after a powerful storm in 2006 damaged several vessels on the outer pier at Fishermen’s Harbour. Other vessel owners hedged their bets by mooring at more secure facilities elsewhere.

At 410 feet long, the breakwater will improve protection of moored boats and companies may be more amenable to mooring in Alberni again.

The new facility will be able to accommodate cruise ship taxi boats, float planes and mega yachts.